Yet another "Help me with OTA choice" thread!

[snookle]

Hey guys, I've been reading all day about OTA stuff but I still have no idea what I should get for myself. Obviously I don't want some cheap thing that isn't going to give quality since that would sort of defeat the purpose of switching to HD in the first place.

Here's what antennaweb tells me:
* yellow - uhf WWJ-DT 62.1 CBS DETROIT MI 34° 11.1 44
* yellow - uhf WTVS-DT 43.1 PBS DETROIT MI 34° 11.1 43
* yellow - uhf WKBD-DT 50.1 UPN DETROIT MI 357° 12.4 14
* yellow - uhf WXYZ-DT 41.1 ABC DETROIT MI 13° 11.4 41
* yellow - uhf WDWB-DT 21.1 WB DETROIT MI 34° 11.1 21
* yellow - uhf WJBK-DT 2.1 FOX DETROIT MI 23° 11.1 58
* yellow - uhf WDIV-DT 4.1 NBC DETROIT MI 23° 12.7 45
* red - uhf WADL-DT 39.1 IND MOUNT CLEMENS MI 55° 26.1 39

I'm not really sure what that red one is, but I don't think I really care about it at all. We all know only the biggies matter anyhow :)

So what do I need to get CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX in awesome HD? Small multi-directional? What type? This is even more confusing than reading about HD in the first place! Thanks in advance for any advice, I really appreciate it.

[kevinw]

Where in Michigan and do you allready have a HD tuner? Most people I know on the westside Plymouth/ Livonia have great cable. I am gussing you live West side because of the distance to Mt Clemens.

[snookle]

I have an HD receiver and I live in Dearborn, MI.

[RonInBigEasy]

Hey guys, I've been reading all day about OTA stuff but I still have no idea what I should get for myself. Obviously I don't want some cheap thing that isn't going to give quality since that would sort of defeat the purpose of switching to HD in the first place.

Here's what antennaweb tells me:
* yellow - uhf WWJ-DT 62.1 CBS DETROIT MI 34° 11.1 44
* yellow - uhf WTVS-DT 43.1 PBS DETROIT MI 34° 11.1 43
* yellow - uhf WKBD-DT 50.1 UPN DETROIT MI 357° 12.4 14
* yellow - uhf WXYZ-DT 41.1 ABC DETROIT MI 13° 11.4 41
* yellow - uhf WDWB-DT 21.1 WB DETROIT MI 34° 11.1 21
* yellow - uhf WJBK-DT 2.1 FOX DETROIT MI 23° 11.1 58
* yellow - uhf WDIV-DT 4.1 NBC DETROIT MI 23° 12.7 45
* red - uhf WADL-DT 39.1 IND MOUNT CLEMENS MI 55° 26.1 39

I'm not really sure what that red one is, but I don't think I really care about it at all. We all know only the biggies matter anyhow :)

So what do I need to get CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX in awesome HD? Small multi-directional? What type? This is even more confusing than reading about HD in the first place! Thanks in advance for any advice, I really appreciate it.

What I did was do a search of "off-air anteannas" in Yahoo. It will give you links to places like the Channel Master, Terk, Wingard, etc. Then you just click on the antennas that match your color code and that is the ones that will work for you. Radio Shack also has some as well for a little lessor prices. I'm not sure how the Radio Shack antenna compares to the name brand ones in quality. I'm shopping myself and hope to get some idea on that as well.

[snookle]

Does the quality of the antenna make a difference in picture quality, or is it if you're getting a signal then it's the "right" look? Do you just buy the OTA based on what will make you acquire a signal?

[Ratman]

With digital, you get a signal or don't.

Once it's locked and stable on a digital channel, you cannot improve the 'picture quality'.

Stability... yes, quality no.

The right antenna for the right job.

[snookle]

Alright, well, that sort of brings me back to my original question about what's best for the results I posted? Yellow is uhhh small multi-directional, so that's what I would need right? Good ones?

I've got to run out for a while, but I'll definitely check this out again when I'm back so if you have any advice of any kind I'd love to hear it. You guys are great!

[Ratman]

Try this for staters...

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F002%5F000&product%5Fid=15%2D2160

[kevinw]

I have an HD receiver and I live in Dearborn, MI.

You could use an indoor antenna Like the Zentih Silver Sensor or a small out door like the www.antennadirect DB2

Since you live in Dearborn The HD cable looks bleak unlike Westland ..
Is the Pelican Club still there? Used to be one of my favorites when I lived In Dearborn.

[snookle]

You could use an indoor antenna Like the Zentih Silver Sensor or a small out door like the www.antennadirect DB2

Since you live in Dearborn The HD cable looks bleak unlike Westland ..
Is the Pelican Club still there? Used to be one of my favorites when I lived In Dearborn.

You know I remember a Pelican Club from a long time ago over on the other side of the city, but I don't think it's still around. The one I'm thinking of might have been in Detroit or something.

What do you mean by "HD cable looks bleak"? Do you mean the chances of me getting the locals in HD are low? That doesn't seem right considering how close I am to Detroit.

[kevinw]

You know I remember a Pelican Club from a long time ago over on the other side of the city, but I don't think it's still around. The one I'm thinking of might have been in Detroit or something.

What do you mean by "HD cable looks bleak"? Do you mean the chances of me getting the locals in HD are low? That doesn't seem right considering how close I am to Detroit.
It seems that Dearborn is not a demographic that Comcast wants to offer HD to. Unlike Westland. I think that an antenna will work real well for you.

Yeah Pelican club was on the east side on Ford road ..too bad fun bar